If you prefer Kings Dominion over Busch Gardens, check out their "Halloween Haunt" event which offers "scare zones" including Cleaver Brothers Carnival, Feary Tales, Ironworx, Necropolis and the Lair. They also offer live shows such as Overlord's Resurrection, Skeleton Crew, Coven and the Grave Walkers.

Many Virginia museums offer wonderful Halloween or fall-themed events designed for the whole family. Just two examples are Norfolk's Nauticus, which hosts "Haunticus" and even lets you spend the night on a "haunted" battleship, and Hampton's Virginia Air & Space Museum, which has an indoor "Trick or Treat" event, usually the Saturday of or before Halloween.

For descriptions of Virginia attractions which may have fall fun events, go to my Attractions page.

Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

Personally, we love to pick apples at Carter's Mountain in Charlottesville because of their breath-taking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains (and their delicious apple cider donuts!). But there are many places in Virginia to observe this wonderful fall fun tradition.

If you're not near Charlottesville, there are plenty of other places in Virginia for fall fun with apple picking.

And if you love seeing the fall foliage, Virginia is an amazing place to enjoy it, especially near the Shenandoah Mountains. Virginia.org has great info on the best places for fall foliage, as well as a Leaf and Color Meter.

Spectacular Fall Foliage Itinerary

How do you like the vibrant fall foliage near Charlottesville's Ashlawn-Highland?

This year, experts say that the peak time for fall foliage viewing in Virginia will fall between these dates and locations:

Oct. 10 - 20 (between Blue Ridge Mountains and Western Virginia)

Oct. 15-25 (west of Harrisonburg and Roanoke and then east to between Charlottesville and Richmond)

Oct. 20-31 (coastal - just west of Richmond and then west to the coast).

One of the best places to view fall foliage is the Blue Ridge Parkway, and an easy spot to enter it is on Afton Mountain, just 15 minutes west of Charlottesville.

With an elevation of over 2000 feet, and three major turnouts overlooking the valley, it's the perfect spot for breathtaking photos.

Be sure to take advantage of a free tour of the University of Virginia grounds, followed by a walk on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall where you can sample gourmet pizza at Lelo's pizza, cheap but delicious dumplings and pork buns at Marco & Luca's, or sit down for a more elegant meal at Hamilton's or C&O. Cap it off with some gelato at Splendora's or a chocolate crepe at The Flat.

Days Two-Three (how long it takes depends on you!):

Is the Swannanoa mansion on Afton Mountain haunted? Some think so...

Take I-64 West from Charlottesville to Afton Mountain. When you get to the top of the mountain, take the exit for "tourist information" and stop at the Tourist Center for views of both sides of the mountain. (If you're going east down the mountain, they have two overlook turnouts; the first turnout has the best photos).

While you're on top of the mountain, don't miss Swannanoa, a lavish, Italianate, 100-year-old mansion. Although rarely open to the public, it's well-worth a brief stop just to view or walk around the crumbling old mansion and grounds. (Directions: From I-64, take the 250 Exit to Howardsville Turnpike/State Route 610, then take a right on Swannanoa Road.)

Back at the Visitor's Center, they'll be happy to guide you to the entrance of Shenandoah National Park to your north, or the Blue Ridge Parkway to the south, both of which offer spectacular views of fall foliage. Or, get back on I-64 to drive west down the mountain and out to historic Staunton. This former railroad town is home to Mary Baldwin College, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Museum, and the Frontier Culture Museum.

Don't miss Sunspots glass-blowing center, where you can buy one-of-a-kind blown-glass balls, bowls, vases, and decorative items, or even make your own. If you're hungry, grab a meal at the Mill Street Grill, housed in a former wheat mill (try their Crab Cake Dinner with fried green tomatoes). Or for something really different, try Wright's Dairy Rite, a 1950’s drive-in where you can phone in to order yummy burgers, fries and onion rings, and malts from your car or table.

If you have time, be sure to catch a play at the home of the American Shakespeare Center, Blackfriars Playhouse, a recreation of Shakespeare's indoor playhouse.

Fall Fun Festivals & Events

Free Museum Admission on Smithsonian Day, Sept. 22

Get a free admission for you and a friend when you download a coupon courtesy of the Smithsonian Museums on Smithsonian Day, Sept. 26. It's good for hundreds of museums across the US. Here's just a few of current or past participating museums in Virginia:

Here's another recipe for fall fun: Fall is the time for Virginia wine festivals, including the annual Town Point Virginia Wine Festival, featuring 200+ Virginia wines along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. Entertainment plus crafts and food for purchase.

Offered mid-October, tickets (including sampling and a wine glass) are generally $20 at the door on Saturday and $15 at the door on Sunday.

Or, try the Annual Neptune Fall Wine Festival in Virginia Beach, usually the first full weekend in September. Located at Neptune's Park on 31st Street from noon to 5 pm each day, this event will feature over a dozen local wineries, plus wine vendors and more.

This year's Fall Town Point Virginia Wine Festival on Waterside Drive in Norfolk around third week in October. The event features over 200 wine varieties from 35 different Virginia wineries amidst live entertainment and gourmet food for purchase.

The fall fun event runs from 11 am to 6 pm each day. General admission is $25 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday, while tasting is $35 on Saturday and $30 on Sunday (includes a souvenir glass and tasting privileges). For details, go to www.festevents.org.

Save Time & Money on Entertainment

Finding deals and saving money takes time. But you won't have to pay more for travel and entertainment when I've done the work for you.

And if you're traveling in Virginia or beyond, be sure to go to my Discount Travel Deals page. You'll find secrets of traveling and being entertained for less, from how to visit museums for "free" to amazing coupon deals.

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